EXIF Data Viewer
Read camera settings, GPS coordinates, and full EXIF metadata from any JPG, TIFF, or HEIC image. Parsing happens entirely in your browser; no image is uploaded.
Upload a JPG, TIFF, or HEIC photo to read its embedded EXIF metadata: camera make and model, lens, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, date taken, and GPS coordinates if present. For screenshots and most PNG files no EXIF is stored, so only file properties appear. Everything runs in your browser; your image never leaves your device.
Drop an image or click to upload
JPG, TIFF, HEIC for full EXIF. PNG, WebP, and others show file properties.
How EXIF parsing works
Formula or method
The tool uses exifr (MIT licence), an open-source JavaScript library, to parse binary EXIF, TIFF, and GPS segments embedded in the image file. All parsing happens inside your browser using the File API; no image data or metadata is sent to any server. The library reads EXIF/TIFF tag values directly from the file buffer and returns them as a plain JavaScript object.
Basis and assumptions
- EXIF presence depends on the capturing device and any subsequent editing or sharing. Cameras and smartphones embed EXIF; screenshots and exports from most design tools do not.
- Social platforms (Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X) strip EXIF before storing or forwarding images, so downloaded copies typically contain no camera or GPS data.
- HEIC/HEIF files carry EXIF in a compatible container; exifr supports reading it, but browser image preview of HEIC varies by browser version.
- Dates and times are parsed deterministically from the raw EXIF value at the moment the file is loaded; the tool never reads the system clock.
- GPS coordinates are as embedded by the capturing device; their accuracy depends on that device.
What this tool does not decide
- Whether the metadata is authentic or unmodified. EXIF can be edited by any image processing tool; the presence of a camera model or location does not prove provenance.
- Whether stripped EXIF can be recovered. Once metadata is removed there is no record of it in the file.
- Legal or forensic questions about image origin, authorship, or chain of custody. Consult a qualified forensic professional for evidential matters.
Sources
- exifr by Mike Kovarik (MIT licence) (GitHub) last accessed 2026-06-12
- CIPA DC-008 EXIF specification (Camera and Imaging Products Association) last accessed 2026-06-12
Last checked: 2026-06-12
What Is EXIF Data?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a standard set of metadata tags that cameras and smartphones embed directly in a photo file at the moment of capture. It records the camera make and model, lens used, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, date and time, and, on most modern phones, GPS coordinates.
This tool reads EXIF using exifr, an open-source MIT-licensed parser that runs entirely inside your browser. JPG, TIFF, and HEIC files are fully supported. PNG and WebP files can carry EXIF in optional chunks, but most software does not write it; screenshots and social-media downloads typically have no EXIF at all.
All parsing happens locally. No image or metadata is stored or transmitted anywhere.
Common EXIF Fields
| Field | What It Records | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Make / Model | Camera manufacturer and body name | Identify the capturing device |
| Aperture (f-number) | Lens opening size at time of shot | Depth of field, exposure |
| Shutter Speed | Exposure duration (e.g. 1/250 s) | Motion blur, low-light performance |
| ISO | Sensor sensitivity setting | Image noise level indicator |
| Focal Length | Lens focal length in mm | Field of view, telephoto vs wide |
| Date Taken | Date and time the shutter fired | Timestamp, timeline analysis |
| GPS Latitude / Longitude | Location of capture | Geo-tagging; privacy risk if shared |
| Dimensions | Width x height in pixels | Print quality, upload requirements |
| Orientation | Rotation applied at display time | Correct display without re-encoding |
Privacy Risks in EXIF Data
EXIF data from smartphones can reveal far more than you expect. Here is what is typically embedded and who should be aware:
GPS coordinates
Embedded by default on most phones. Reveals exactly where a photo was taken, including your home, workplace, or school. A photo of your pet shared via email or a personal website exposes your home address to anyone who reads the EXIF data.
Date and time
Records when the shutter fired. Combined with GPS, this builds a trackable timeline of movements. Holiday photos confirm when your home was empty.
Device information
Camera make, model, and software version. Lower risk, but identifies the specific device that captured the image.
Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X) automatically strip EXIF on upload. Personal websites, email attachments, and direct file sharing preserve it. Use our Metadata Remover before sharing images through these channels.
When Photos Have No EXIF
Many images have no EXIF block at all. This is normal and expected in the following cases:
- Screenshots: Generated by the operating system, not a camera. They have never had EXIF.
- Social media downloads: Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and X strip EXIF when you upload, so any image you download from these platforms will have no camera or GPS data.
- PNG and WebP exports: Most design and editing software exports PNG and WebP without writing an EXIF block.
- Edited photos: Some editing tools strip or reset EXIF on save, particularly when exporting for the web.
When EXIF Data Is Useful
- Checking print readiness: A 12-megapixel image prints well at A3. A 2-megapixel screenshot will not. Check dimensions before sending to a printer.
- Photography learning: Read the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO from your own photos to understand what settings produced which results.
- Diagnosing web performance: A 5 MB hero image will slow down your page. Check file size and format before uploading. A 200 KB WebP often achieves the same visual quality.
- Verifying source quality: A client sends you images described as high-resolution that are actually 640 x 480 upscaled to 3,000 pixels. The megapixel count and dimensions reveal the true original quality.
- Privacy audit before sharing: Check whether a photo contains GPS before publishing it on a personal site, CV, or portfolio.
Related Tools
How to use this tool
Drop or click to upload a JPG, TIFF, or HEIC image
The tool reads EXIF metadata using the exifr parser in your browser
View camera settings, exposure values, date taken, and GPS if present
Common uses
- Checking what camera and lens captured a photo
- Reading GPS coordinates from a photo to find where it was taken
- Verifying shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for photography learning
- Auditing images for location data before sharing online
- Checking pixel dimensions and file size before uploading to a platform
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Frequently Asked Questions
What EXIF data can this tool read?
Which file formats support EXIF?
Why does this photo show no EXIF?
Are my images uploaded to a server?
Can the tool tell if GPS was stripped?
What do the GPS coordinates mean?
How do I remove metadata from an image?
What does orientation metadata do?
Why does the file size differ from what my OS shows?
Can this tool read RAW files?
What is the 35mm equivalent focal length?
Does viewing metadata change the image?
Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.